Rural Forest Health Management Program
KCD developed its Small Lot Forest Stewardship program to help support and encourage private landowners with fewer than five acres of woods in unincorporated King County to implement sustainable stewardship-focused active management practices. Planners are available to perform on-site evaluations to identify forest health threats, resource concerns, and management opportunities. Land managers’ long-term goals for their woods will be discussed and planners will provide recommendations and guidance on how to best meet those goals.
In addition to this on-site technical assistance, planners will work with landowners to develop a comprehensive Forest Stewardship Plan that describes the current conditions of all natural resources present on the property and provides management recommendations to address any associated concerns with these resources. The plan can also help landowners qualify for additional assistance and funding opportunities through KCD’s cost-share program (Landowner Incentive Program) as well as property tax savings through King County’s current-use taxation programs.
With KCD’s Small Lot Forest Stewardship program support, land managers can become confident and capable stewards of their forest resources helping to sustain our vital Pacific Northwest forest ecosystems.
Rural Forest Health Service Request
Cost-share for Rural Forestry
Cost-share is not limited to properties with less than five acres of woods. To learn if you qualify to apply for a forest cost-share project, how to apply, and how the cost-share program works review our Financial Help for Forest Landowners.
Additional Resources
If you own more than five acres of woods, live outside KCD’s service area, find that our programs are not a good fit for your goals and property, or are just curious about what other resources are available we’ve listed below some additional helpful forest stewardship resources.
King County Forestry Program
County staff foresters can provide free assistance to forestland property owners that own more than 5 acres of woods.
Washington State University Extension Forestry
- Forestry classes and education events for landowners
- Forest stewardship education materials
- Award-winning email newsletter
WSU Extension Consulting Directory
Find contractors or consultants that offer services such as forest inventory, forest plan writing, forest management advice, timber harvest planning, invasive species control, and more.
Washington Department of Natural Resources – Small Forest Landowner Office
- Forestland owners with 10 or more acres of woods can receive a free advisory site visit from a WA DNR Forester
- Receive free guidance on planning and conducting a timber harvest on your property
- Receive free assistance with applying for a forest practices permits
- WA DNR financial assistance programs
Natural Resources Conservation Service – Washington
- Programs to help landowners get a forest management plan written by a professional forester
- Financial assistance programs to help implement forest best management practices